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Washington (Aug 26): Senator Edward Moore Kennedy, the youngest Kennedy brother who was left to head the family's political dynasty after his brothers, former president John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy, were assassinated, has died at age 77.

Known as the "liberal lion of the Senate", Sen Kennedy, fondly known as Ted or Teddy, championed health-care reform, working wages and equal rights in his storied career. He was awarded this month the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, by President Obama. His daughter, Ms Kara Kennedy, accepted the award on his behalf.

Sen Kennedy was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour in May last year and underwent a successful brain surgery soon after that. But his health continued to deteriorate, and he suffered a seizure while attending the luncheon following President Barack Obama's inauguration.

For Sen Kennedy, the ascension of Mr Obama was an important step toward realising his goal of health-care reform. At the Democratic National Convention last August, the Massachusetts Democrat promised: "I pledge to you that I will be there next January on the floor of the United States Senate when we begin the great test."

He made good on that pledge, but ultimately lost his battle with cancer.

Sen Kennedy was first elected to the Senate in 1962, at the age of 30, and his tenure there would span four decades.

A hardworking, well-liked politician who became the standard-bearer of his brothers' liberal causes, his career was clouded by allegations of personal immorality and accusations that his family's clout helped him avoid the consequences of an accident that left a young woman dead.

But for the younger members of the Kennedy clan, from his own three children to those of his brothers, JFK and RFK, Sen Ted Kennedy -- once seen as the youngest and least talented in a family of glamorous overachievers -- was both a surrogate father and the centre of the family.

And, certainly, it was Sen Kennedy who bore many of the tragedies of the family -- the violent deaths of four of his siblings, his son's battle with cancer, and the death of his nephew, John F. Kennedy Jr, in a plane crash.

It was an all-too-familiar sight for those who remember Sen Kennedy mourning the deaths of his brothers, and helping the family bear up after the deaths of RFK's sons, David and Michael.

For decades, it was Sen Kennedy who carried the burden and led the way as the patriarch of a family seen as America's answer to royalty.

And so another era comes to a close end with the passing of the last great Kennedy. Ted Kennedy was one of those political heroes I had tremendous respect for. Of all the Democratic senators who ever promised to stick up for the middle and lower classes he was one of the few who made me believe it through his consistant action in that direction.

And so another era comes to a close end with the passing of the last great Kennedy. Ted Kennedy was one of those political heroes I had tremendous respect for. Of all the Democratic senators who ever promised to stick up for the middle and lower classes he was one of the few who made me believe it through his consistant action in that direction.

And so the fight continues against Republican bullies who continue to favor the rich and powerful at the expense of middle and lower classes.

It's a sad day to see such a great man pass, a legacy of Kennedy power has truly ended. A great man who gave his life in service of this nation much like his older brothers, his legacy will live on for all men to see and learn from.

A great speech for a great man. It's sad that such a great man, a man who helped fight for those that did not have, could not fight, has passed on. I'm a cynic who believes politicians are liars but Ted Kennedy was different. Here's a solute to a great man who helped shaped America to what it is today.

As a member of the Commonwealth I can't deny that (even though my politics and his have more often than not been much akin to oil and water) he certainly did do a lot to bring federal money to us, weather or not that money was all spent well is an issue for another day and another thread probably. Anyway rest in peace Teddy.

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"Do what I do in every friendship and relationship, give 5%" - Ron Bennington

I didn't agree with his politics, I didn't agree with his priorities, I thought he was a massive tool representing a system of hypocritical government of coercion, but unlike some political activist types, I have respect for the dead.